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Model 201 and Model 501

hifi-advice.com - info and reviews - Christiaan Punter - April 2010, updated April 2012

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Bigger version of the 201 utilizing a higher powered 500ASP ICE-power module. As far as I know there is no difference with the 201's except that a higher-powered version of the ICE module is used. I haven't listened to it but I hear from friends that it indeedsounds more powerful than the 201 but may also sound a little more technical. But this is hearsay, not a fact.

Model 201 (mono)

approx 2002-present

3298 euro per channel

Model 501 (mono)

approx 2002-2011

4698 euro per channel

Rowland's first offering with ICE-power. Inside is (as far as I know) little more than a standard 250ASP ICE power module and a Rowland-made transformer-coupled input circuit. Still these amps took the world by surprise. How could something so tiny be so powerful and yet delicate?

After my Model 10 had problems with its power supply and had been fixed for the first time, I explored alternatives and the Model 201's were amongst them. I compared them directly with the Model 10 and was both impressed and disappointed at the same time. Impressed because the 201's had even tighter bass and more focus that the Model 10 and disappointed because in other departments they were clearluy inferior. Comparing the 201's to just about any other amp they probably would have made good impressions exclusively but the Model 10 is no ordinairy amp. The 10 had more air, better soundstage layering and width as well as more fluidity and a hint of warmth through the midrange that the 201's lacked. Not that they sounded cold per se but eventually a subliminal feelling of artificiality emerged that I couldn't let go of.